The Gibraltar Hearing Impaired and Tinnitus Association has welcomed the launch of British Sign Language in Gibraltar.

A spokesman for GHITA said: “Following a meeting of the Gibraltar Hearing Impaired and Tinnitus Association and The Gibraltar Disability Society at the request of a group of profoundly deaf people, it became apparent that there was a total absence of British Sign Language in Gibraltar and that there were many people in our community who would benefit greatly from BSL as the first language of deaf people”.

 

“The Minister for Family, Youth and Community Affair graciously agreed to open the first day of the course at Bleak House, on Monday 10th, where he commended the hard work put into making the dream of Gibraltarian woman, Jacqueline Jarman-Brugada, a reality.

“This the Minister felt meant that Gibraltar is moving with the times and will be able to provide BSL trained interpreters to “hearing impaired and deaf residents” of Gibraltar as well as any Care Agency Services Users. The Minister concluded by stressing the need for this sector of our community to be able to feel a part of the community and be afforded a fundamental right with regard to accessing all services available as and when the need arises.

“A special thanks to the Kusuma Trust, ‘the Trust aims to promote excellence in the field of education and bring about positive change for young people and society as a whole’.

Both the morning course at Bleak House (for public services front line workers) and the evening course at Westside Comprehensive School (for deaf and hard of hearing, immediate family and friends) have been fully subscribed.

“GHITA and The Gibraltar Disability Society wish to thank Mr Jaime Netto for his encouraging comments and the interest and support he showed for the project.”